Irish National Opera returns to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with Dvořák’s operatic masterpiece Rusalka for four performances in March. Driven by her consuming love for a human prince, water nymph Rusalka abandons her realm to navigate his mortal world. A tale of longing, transformation and the high cost of desire, Dvořák’s rich, lyrical score brings this darkly poetic fairy tale to life with the iconic Song to the Moon at its heart.
Irish National Opera’s major new production features a world-class cast led by renowned Irish soprano Jennifer Davis in the title role. A rising star on the international stage, she returns to INO following her acclaimed appearance in Faust (2023), praised as “exquisite and vibrantly emotional” (Sunday Independent).
The award winning “visionary director” (British Theatre Guide) Netia Jones returns to INO following her Olivier Award nominated production of Least Like The Other, Searching for Rosemary Kennedy which played to sold out audiences across Ireland and the Royal Ballet and Opera House London.
Having already played to sold out houses in the Royal Swedish Opera and Nouvel Opera Fribourg. The production has been met with stellar reviews, with critic Anna Bjermqvist describing Jones direction and design as “delivering a bullseye: this production is both captivating and contemplative, where fairy-tale magic meets contemporary social perspectives in a natural and elegant way.” Dagens Nyheter (Daily News) Sweden.
Reflecting on what draws her to the character Rusalka, director Netia Jones says: “She burns to live beyond the very limited world she inhabits… There is something incredibly true and deeply moving in their relationship, seen from both perspectives. Even if it is a tragic story, with profound truths in it, I hope that the opera is entertaining – and fun in a way that a fairytale can be. We have the moments of visual excess, the extraordinary ballroom scene, which is the kind of apex of the opera, a huge moment of brilliant music and great extravagance. Dvořák has shaped this piece really well, the audience is taken on an exhilarating journey with some of the most beautiful music ever written. There is just so much to enjoy. Rusalka is a fascinating operatic character. There is something very original in how she is treated… the end of the opera Rusalka is rather subversive.”
This timeless tale of love and longing runs for four performances only on Sunday 22, Tuesday 24, Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 March 2026 at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Rusalka is a co-production with Royal Swedish Opera and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg, presented in association with Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and is sung in Czech with English surtitles.
More information here
Watch the trailer here
Irish National Opera returns to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with Dvořák’s operatic masterpiece Rusalka for four performances in March. Driven by her consuming love for a human prince, water nymph Rusalka abandons her realm to navigate his mortal world. A tale of longing, transformation and the high cost of desire, Dvořák’s rich, lyrical score brings this darkly poetic fairy tale to life with the iconic Song to the Moon at its heart.
Irish National Opera’s major new production features a world-class cast led by renowned Irish soprano Jennifer Davis in the title role. A rising star on the international stage, she returns to INO following her acclaimed appearance in Faust (2023), praised as “exquisite and vibrantly emotional” (Sunday Independent).
The award winning “visionary director” (British Theatre Guide) Netia Jones returns to INO following her Olivier Award nominated production of Least Like The Other, Searching for Rosemary Kennedy which played to sold out audiences across Ireland and the Royal Ballet and Opera House London.
Having already played to sold out houses in the Royal Swedish Opera and Nouvel Opera Fribourg. The production has been met with stellar reviews, with critic Anna Bjermqvist describing Jones direction and design as “delivering a bullseye: this production is both captivating and contemplative, where fairy-tale magic meets contemporary social perspectives in a natural and elegant way.” Dagens Nyheter (Daily News) Sweden.
Reflecting on what draws her to the character Rusalka, director Netia Jones says: “She burns to live beyond the very limited world she inhabits… There is something incredibly true and deeply moving in their relationship, seen from both perspectives. Even if it is a tragic story, with profound truths in it, I hope that the opera is entertaining – and fun in a way that a fairytale can be. We have the moments of visual excess, the extraordinary ballroom scene, which is the kind of apex of the opera, a huge moment of brilliant music and great extravagance. Dvořák has shaped this piece really well, the audience is taken on an exhilarating journey with some of the most beautiful music ever written. There is just so much to enjoy. Rusalka is a fascinating operatic character. There is something very original in how she is treated… the end of the opera Rusalka is rather subversive.”
This timeless tale of love and longing runs for four performances only on Sunday 22, Tuesday 24, Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 March 2026 at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Rusalka is a co-production with Royal Swedish Opera and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg, presented in association with Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and is sung in Czech with English surtitles.
More information here
Watch the trailer here
